For the longest time, LA Tenorio stood as one in every of Barangay Ginebra’s icons within the PBA.
His sudden transfer to take over as Magnolia head coach stunned not solely the followers, but additionally longtime teammates like Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson.
The trio performed collectively — and received a number of titles — for a number of PBA seasons, a stretch that additionally noticed them on the coronary heart of the long-lasting Manila Clasico rivalry between Ginebra and Magnolia.
However subsequent season, they are going to discover themselves on reverse sides of the court docket with Tenorio now the lead shot-caller for the Hotshots.
“Truly, I used to be completely shocked nung narinig ko. ‘Di ko alam eh, kasi ‘yung pag transition ko sa PBA, si Kuya LA ‘yung nag information sa akin,” Thompson, who had been teammates with Tenorio ever since he was drafted again in 2015, mentioned.
“For positive, ‘di kami sanay na nandoon siya sa kabila. However gano’n talaga ‘yung buhay dito sa PBA, we simply must carry on transferring ahead.”
Resident Ginebra import Justin Brownlee was additionally shocked, admitting he was stunned to be taught that Tenorio, whom he thought of a ‘second coach’ on the court docket, was taking on for his or her greatest rival.
“I simply heard that and I can’t imagine that, man. However man, like what I informed earlier after I was informed of the information, to be trustworthy, my 9 years within the Philippines taking part in for Ginebra, I really feel like LA has been my second coach on the ground with clearly, Tim (Cone) and the teaching workers,” Brownlee mentioned.
“Clearly, Magnolia is Ginebra’s greatest rival and yeah, I can’t wait to see what Manila Clasico is gonna be like, particularly with LA now on the opposite facet.”
—JMB, GMA Built-in Information